Automatic musical instrument.



Patented May I, I900.

3 Sheets-Sheet L ATTORNE J. A. 'WESER. AUTDMATNE MUSIEiAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Nov. 2, 1899.)

(No Model.)

W.v. v w

Nu. 648,717. Patented May I, I900. J. A. .WESER. AUTOMATIC MUSICALINSTRUMENT.

A lication filed Nov. 2, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

m. 648,7l7. Patented May I, was. J. A. WESER.

AUTOMATIC MUSECAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Nov. 2, 1899.)

(N0 Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 3.

WITNESSES; INV NTOR g fiem W G/i ATTORNEY i iifsirss A'rnN'r ()rrics.

Jenn

A. WESER,-OF nnw ronn, N.- Y.

SPEGTFKGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,717, dated May 1,1900. Application filod v b 2, 1899. Serial No. 735,684.. (No model.)-

To (ti/- whom it rim/y omwe'rm Be it known that 1, JOHN A. WEBER, acitizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan,city, county,and'State of New York, have invented certain new and Iuseful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments, of which thefollowing is aspeci- I fication.

- the reeds or in the Wind-chest.

.pedalsand dampers or mufflers.

or a very similar effect may This invention relates to allclasses ofself la in orautomatic musical instruments and the object is to effectautomatically a certain expr sion by the production of crescendo anddiminuendo effects, the forte and pianis-v simo effects being more orless sustained, as desired. These eifects are produced by graduallyincreasing ordecreasing the force which produces the sounds and not bymeans of My invention may, however, be employed, if desired, inconnectionwith the usual pedals, and it may be operated, forexample, ina self-play ing piano by varying the force or sharpness of the blow ofthe hammer on the string, in} creasing or decreasing such forcegradually and if applied to an automatic organ the same be produced bygraduali y and automatically changing the Valve which controls thepressure of air on If applied to a self-playing piano where the strokeof the hammer is effected electrically, then the current may becontrolled by an automaticallyoperating rheostat so as to produce thedesired expression. In the present case the invention is set forth asapplied to an automatic or self-playing piano, the strokes of thehammers on the strings being -ell'ected mechanica-lly and'controlled byamoving perforated music-strip. The mechanisms are driven by an electricmotor, and the expression sought is attained by varying the speed of thefricti0n-drum-driven from the motor-W hich actuates the hammers. In thedrawings which illustrate thi's'enibodiment of the invention, Figure 1is a front elevation of the mechanism mounted in the piano-case, andFig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are enlargedfragmentary detail views of the mechanism. These will be hereinafterfully described.

Fig. 6 illustrates a slightly-modified construc- 7 illustrates theapplication of the invention to an organ or a pneumaticallyoperatedpiano, and Fig.- 8 illustrates the application ofthe invention to meansfor varying the power of an-electric current which operates an automaticmusical instrument.

The general construction of the motor, the driving mechanism for themusic-strip, and

the hammerwoperating mechanism is similar to that ofthe correspondingmechanisms illustrated in my pending application, Serial No. 678,832,filed April 26, 1898, and a brief description will serve for the partsshown in said pending application.

- Referringprimarily to Figs. 1 and 2, 1' rep resents the case of theinstrument, and 2 an electric motor, which drives a rotativolymountedfriction-drum 3. It need only be stated here that through suitablemechanism whenever an aperture in the musicstrip 'eomes'into registerwith one of a set of key levers the corresponding key-lever permits ashoe 5, Fig. 2, connected therewith and coupled to a key-operatingtracker-pin (l, to bear on the rotating drum 3, which then carries theshoe back, and in the manner of a toggle this'shoe acts through its pinon oneof the keys of the piano to sound a note of the music. So far asabove described the mechanism is the same in substance as thatillustrated in my said pending application.

.On the journal 3 of the drum 3 is rota- .tively mounted a pulley 7,carrying the driving-helt i of the music-strip, and connected with thispulley 7 is a cone-pulley 7, which is 1 driven by a belt 8 from acone-pulley 9 on the shaft or arbor of the motor 2. By shifting the belt8 along the cone-pulleys 7 and 9 the speed of-thc music-strip may bevaried.

.The belt 8 is shifted through the medium of a shifter 10, its spring10, and a cord or Wire tially'like the corresponding mechanismillustrated in my pending application before referred to herein.

The drum 3 is driven through the medium of a cone-pulley 12, fixed onits journal 3, a cone-pulley l3, fixed on the-shaft of the moplztined inthe operation of the laenini of the rod 1.

'20 of the fork 2 seem? tor 2, and a belt 11-. This on from :t shifter15. This driving meo a root lied View,

the drum so far as described is the some as that shown in my be tionedpending application. In order to get expression, l'ioloro the strings ofthe piano, means are pro, for gradually and automatically noreesmg" anddecreasing the rotary velocity of the drum 3, and this mechanism willnow he described.

011 the bolt-shifter 15 is secured an upright spur 16 of any suitableform, and mounted on l! slide-rod l7, suitably supported, are two blocks18 and 18. (Seen in Fig. 1 and on. it much larger scale in the do lvio r3.) These blocks {are adapted by the sliding endwise in its supports toengage the spur 1G and through it to operate the shifter 15 and shiftthe belt 14;, Prefer ehly the liloolis l8 and 18" will be securedadjustzitbly on the rod 17 o set-screws or other means. Obviously whenthe slide rod is moved in one direction (to the ri ht in Figs, 1 and 3)the bloeklS willoct to shift the belt 14 so as to gradually red nee theSQQQQ the drum 3, and thus gradually reduce and soften the tones orproduce di niouendo ei feots, and if said rod he moved in the oppositedirection the block 18" will act to shift the belt so as to graduallyincrease the speed of the drum 3, and thus gradually increase the tone,thus producing a crescendo effect. The space between the bloc s l8 and18 governs the dwell or maintenance of the tone at the forte andpiztniseimo points-thzit is to say, after the block 18", for example,shall have reached the end of its movement and shifted the belt 14- asfor toward the larger ond of the pulley 13 as the extent of uiovemom ofthe rod l'i-u'ill permit and the Sill; rod starts to return the hell;will remain at the point placed on the pulley until the block 18 shallreaoh the spur 16, thus sustaining the forte effect through it periodgoverned by the distance at which the blocks 18 and 18 may be set apartThis adjustment of the said blocks atdilleront points and distancesapart on the rod 17 alsoenehles the range of speed of the drum 3 to beVztliGfi by varying, the extent of shift of the belt along the pulleys,e greater range of crescendo and decresoendo effects being attainablewhen the blocks are set near togeth r tl1nn wl1on they are set fartherapart.

In order to operate the slide-rod l7 onclwiee to and fro automatically,any suitable device may be employed. That shown in the prinoipal Viewconsists of a right-hand screw and a left-hgu1d screw out on theprolonged journe-l 3 of thefriction-drum 3, produeinga known spiraldriving device 19 (soon host in the enlarged detail View, Fig. i) and onexially 'rotativ-e or rocking fork 20, engaging the grooves ofthecleric-e19. A sleeve 21 embra'cedslidahly he 1 oo 19, and the stem 2Oroe-rel in a bearing in said clamp having it movable jaw is set no tothe stem 20 by z, scliewfll 4 ."poso of this clamp device is to put itthe stem of. the fork 20, so not turn too easily To eon-ed it stem '22,and on this l -i hloel; 1'17, forming m1 attochingeno. piooo Jr rod 17.

hen the drum 8 rotates it will drive the fork O to and fro along; thejournal 3 causing the ks l8 and to shilft the belt 14, and .s Varyi 1espeed of he drnin 33, and it will 150 he noted that the speed 0! thedrum iii: 'ill be shifted more eo condo effects.

To support the stem or arm 22, vided with at ciroumlieronMolly-groovedblock 23, which rests on it fixed guide-rod it in the (351-55 3 1 andrttrollel with thedrnin l. in case it is not desired to onmloy thisattachment on the instri noni the time being the rod 17 may he raised ormeans of a lifting-rod :U celled to it at the lower end and coupled toit hell-crank 2i above, 2, the other .l-llll of solid era-n1 havingattached to it an oporzttingpull 527, extending out to the front of theinstrnroc "l -Then. the rod l 7 is raised until the blocks 1. l and18*:11'0 free from the sour 16, its to-nnd-fro inm'emonts do not oii'eetthe belt 14 ll hoh lhdrod 17 is lowered, it is essential th t the spur16 should not onthe ester limos oi the blocks lS- and 1S", and toprevent this theee blocks are provided each With a guard Fig". 3., torust on the spur and permit it to take only between the lJlOffiliS;

it may be proper hero do that; tho ohloci of the device above dosorihedmerely to import a variation or wavy character in the tone of theinstrument during the playing, and not fortissinio and pinni .silnoelleots to particular ports of the music, as would be prodiie' by atpianist through the medium loud and soft p lals. When the instrument 'ieto he played without this variation of strength, the ooeretor ihoyrztisethe rodlT either at the pie: issirno or l'ortissimo points, and theinstrmnent will eon tinue to play with that strength. When he lowers therod 17, will either engage directly according to'its position or theguard will rest on the spur 1 3 until it moves into engagement iig'll n.The rodshonld be lifted. when it is at one or the other of its terminalpos tions.

p to he roller by n sprlng' ti, y-oscnre-rollor whioh hours on theObviously it is pro l'OC IIC

' being the rod 35 (seen in Fig. 2) or its equivalent is connected witha rocking rod 34, which takes under the disk 30 and holds it out ofcontact with the roller 29; This rod S i cflfectstho same end as thelifting of the rodl'? of the principal construction.

N11 re the musical instrument is operated pneun atically, the deviceshown in Fi 7 may be employed. In this View, is a Wind-- chest having aport 313, controlled by a valve 37, and this valve is operated through alever 15, corresponding to the belt-shifter 150i the principal views. Onthis lever 15 is the spur 1.6. The operation will be obvious. ihc valve37 controls the port 35, opening to the atmosphere, and this varies thevacuum (or of the means for selecting pressure, as the case may be) in.the windchest, thereby modifying the pressure oi the aircurrent actin onthe reed, so as to cause the latter to produce softer or louder tones.

The electric device which operates the mechanism that effects themusical sounds may in Fig. 8, ivhere'in SS is the rheostat or device forputting more or less resistance into the circuit. The rheostatdever 15corresponds in function to the belt-shifter 15 of the principal viewsand carries the. spur 1b. The op eration of this device will also bereadily undcrstood. The increasing or decreasing of the power of thecurrent will produce the same effect asthe shi tting of the driving-beltalso be controlled by a rheostat, as illustrated over cone-pulleys. Thisrheostat device may.

be employed in any automatic musical instrument Where electricity isemployed, whether operated through a motor, elcctromagnets, or

otherwise.

Having thus described my invention, I

'1. In an automatic musical instrument, the.

combination with means for selecting the notes to be sounded, and meansfor producing the sounds, of mechanism, independent the notes, forantomatically and gradually varying the force applied by said sound-producing means, whereby crescendo and diminuendo otlects are produced.7

2. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with means forselecting the notes to be sounded, and means for producing the sounds,of automatically-operating mechanism, for alternately increasing anddecreasing the force applied by said sonndproducing means, for thepurpose set forth.

In an automai ie musical instrument, the

combination with means for proflm'ing the sounds, of means forautomatically increas ing and decrcasiug alternately and in a regularorder throughout the playing, the force applied by said sound-producingmeans, for the purpose specified.

t. In an automatic musical instrumcntatho combination with ahammer-operating mechanism for producing the sounds, of means forincreasing and decreasing alternatelyand automatically, the force of thesaid hammer-operating mechanism, whereby the force of the blows of thehammers is varied.

5. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with a rotating,hammer-operating mechanism, of antomatically-opcratinp, means foralternately increasing and decreasing the speed oisaid mechanism,-forthe purpose set forth.

6. In an automatic musical instrument, the

combination. with a motor, of a rotaryphain- A mer-opcrating mechanismfor producing the sounds, and means for automatically and graduallyvarying the rotative speed of said hammer-operating mechanism, wherebycrescondo and diminuendoei fects are produced.

7. In anautomatic musical instrument, the combination with a motor, adrum '3, concpulleyson the arbor and journal, respectively, of saidmotor aud drum, a driving belt connecting said pulleys, and a shifterfor shiitingsaid belt'to varythe speed of said drum, of automaticmeansfor gradually Silift:

ing said belt to and fro on they pulleys, substantially as set forth.- f

8. in an automatic musical instrument, the combination with a motor, adrum 3, conepull eys on the arbor and journal, respectively, of saidmotor and drum, a driving belt connecting said pulleys, and a shifterfor shifting said belt to vary the speed of said drum, of automaticmeans, operated by said drum for gradually shifting said belt to and froon said pulleys, for the purpose set forth.

9. in an automatic musical instrument, the combination with a motor, adrum 3, cone pulleys on the arbor and journal, respectively, of saidmotor and drum, a driving-belt con necting said pulleys, and a shifterfor shii'ting said belt. to vary the speed of said. drum,

1 of automatic means for operating said shifter,

comprising a rod 17, adapted to operate said shifter, and'mechanism'between said drum and said-rod for converting the rotary motion of thedrum to reciprocating, endwisc motion of the rod, for the purpose setforth.-

10. in an automatic musical inst-r ment, the combination with a motor, adrum 3, conc pulleys on the arbor and journal, respectively, of saidmotor and drum, a driving-belt connecting said pulleys, and ashii'tcrfor shifting said belt to vary the speed of said drum, of automaticmeans for opcratingsaid shifter, cinn risinga rod 1 7, engaging saidshifter to r operating it, converting mechanism between the drum andsaid rod for imparting rocip rocating motion to the initer, and. means28, and means for raising said rod,

for manually disengaging said rod flOllliilG shift en, snbstantiallyasset forth.

11. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with a motor, adrum 3, conepullcys on the arbor and journal,respectively, of said motorand drum, adriving-belt connecting said pulleys, and a shifter forshiftin g said belt to vary the speed of said drum, of. the rod 17,engaging said shifter at one end for operating it, the device 19, on thejournal of the said drum, the fork 20, engaging said device, and thesleeve carrying said fork, said sleeve being connected with the rod 17,suhstantially as set forth.

12. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with thebelt-shifter-1-5,having the spur 16, of the rod 17, the'b'loeks 18 and18 on said rod and provided with. shields manually, to disengage'saidblocks from said spur, substantially as set forth.

13. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with the slide-rod 17, of

means for imparting a reciprocating cndwisc movement to same, comprisingthe rotating spiral driving device 19, the "fork 20, carried by theslide-bar, and the clamping device on the stern of said fork topreventtoo free axial movement of same, substantially as set forth.

14-. In an automatic musical instrument; the combination withconepulleys, a belt thereonand a belt-shifter, of a reciprocatingslide-rod for operating said belt-shifter, and two blocks adjustahlymounted on said red at opposite sides of said shifter and adapted toactuate same, whereby a uniform extent of movement of the slide-rod maybe made to impart more or less movement to tho beltshifter, as desired.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name, this 11th day ofOctober, 1899, in

.the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN A. \VESER.

Witnesses:

SAMUnL G. DERRICKSON, MAX LEVIAN.

